DISTRICT NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 6 November 1912, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

; iV j LUMSDEN. FROM OUR OWN COMESrOXPKXT. | A sitting of the Lumsden Court was held here last Saturday, when .a large number of cattle trespass cases were heard, fines ranging from 5s and costs to 15s and costs being imposed. E. Jones and Sons, butchers, were charged on the information of the inspector of stock with having allowed their pigs to be at large within 50 yards of the slaughter-house. The * defendants pleaded' guilty, hut explained that it was on account of the recent floods, as they were compelled to let the pigs out of the run as it was flooded. The Department did not press the charge. Defendants were fined £5 and costs. Lars Peter Oslen, farmer, of Garston, was charged with assaulting George Donald Williamson, also a farmer, of Garston, on October 26. It appears that the two parties on that date had a dispute over a fencing-post which was washed' down with the recent floods, both laying claim to it. It was stated that during the course of the dispute Olsen, who was carrying a stock-whip, struck Williamson over the face and head with the whip. The magistrate found defendant guilty, but taking into consideration the fact that the offence had taken place during a heated argument and also that he had received a certain amount of provocation, imposed a fine of ss, costs of court £3 6s 2d, and solicitor's fee £3 3s.

The annual meeting of the Lumsden Caledonian Society was held in the Lumsden Public Hall on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance of members, Mr R. Htnvitt (president) being in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £24 2s Bd, being an increase of over £22 from that of the preceding year. It was decided to hold the sports as usual on Christmas Day. Mr R. Hewitt (the retiring president) was unanimously re-elected and special mention was made of the valuable services he had rendered during his term of office. A very large number of vice-presidents were elected Mr A. Brookes was appointed superintendent, Mr G. Small being appointed deputy-superintendent. Mr Alex. Small was again given the position of starter. Mr H. G- Key, who lias held the position of secretary for 12 years, resigned. Mr Key has been connected with the society since its inception and has always taken a keen interest in its welfare, but it was in the position of secretary that the society found the benefit of his valuable services.. It was decided to give Mr Key a small memento to show the society's appreciation of his past services. Mr Alex. McAlister was elected to the position of secretary and he is sure to fill the office with credit. Mr Wallace Murdocq, of Invercargill, was appointed handicapper and it was decided to ask Mr H. Geddes, of the same town, to act as one of the judges for the d;uicing. A large number of special pnxes were promised, and it was decided to increase the prize money to £65, a sub-committee being appointed to draw up the programme. iCELSO. TROil OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. There is on view in Mr it. G. Foster's shop window l)r Herbert's, of Wellington, vamsUb trophy consisting or a chaste engraved tea and coffee service and jjalver, all of which are of the best quality ot E.P. ware, to be competed | for in the produce department at the lorthconiing Kelso Show. 1 understand that the doctor gave me cuiuniitee a tret* hand to puruias;;?. a silver cup or aservice at a cost of 20 guineas. Negotiations are being made to get the Gore Brass Band to play here on Show Day, and at a. meeting of the Caledonian Society on Saturday evening it was decided to have the Gore Band play | here on New Year's Day if possible. | Both committees cannot be too highly ! commended in their endeavors to get 1 the Gore Band here,as not only well we have a musical treat but the members' . presence will tend to still further the good feeling existing between Gore and Kelso. The Caledonian Society has decided to hold the New Year's Day sports at the showgrounds for this season instead of the Caledonian Grounds. I would not like to say, however, that, this is a gooo idea, as the old grounds nave associations in connection with sports for a quarter of a century. The Belle Crome Company played to a. packed house on Monday night last. I may say that we have never had anything of the kind of such a high standard at Kelso. A cricket match, Kelso v. Tapanui Schoolboys, was, played here on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Kelso. The club match, Waikoikoi v. Kelso, played at 'Koi on Saturday, was-easily won by Waikoikoi. The Kelso players are loud in their praise of the hospitality of the young ladies of Waikoikoi. Preparations for shearing are already evident on most of the large stations around here. Writing of wool, I don't know how it is, but year after year a large quantity is sent from here to the Dunedin auction sales, and nine times out of ten growers would have done better to have sold on the ground. There is a scarcity of good draught horses here at present, and big prices are being paid for anything reasonably good. Rev. T. Paulin is having a well-earn-ed holiday at present. His place was ably filled on Sunday last by Rev. A. Hardie, of Knapdale, who is a very logical and convincing pulpit orator.